Cleaning apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0. A. HITT CLEANING APPARATUS Oct. 15, 1968 Filed April 24, 1967 Oct. 15, 1968 H|TT CLEANING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1967 United States Patent 3,405,417 CLEANING APPARATUS Otha Allen Hitt, Richmond, Va., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 633,142 4 Claims. (Cl. 21)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus has brushes mounted on the interior of a sleeve which fits over a processing roll. Conduits communicate with the sleeve interior through upper and lower rows of perforations for supplying and draining off rinse water. Before positioning the sleeve, a cleaning fluid is first sprayed onto the roll. After the sleeve is positioned, a flexible drive shaft is coupled to the roll and drives it at a relatively low speed during the cleaning operation. Although portable, the sleeve is normally transported on a buggy to which the conduits and drive shaft are operably connected.

This invention relates to the cleaning of processing rolls used in the production of synthetic fibers and the like.

In the production of synthetic fibers such as by the extrusion of molten polymer, the extruded filaments are usually coated with a lubricating finish and then passed over two or more power-driven rolls which act to draw the filaments. Additional rolls may sometimes be used for annealing or relaxation of the yarn. One or more of these rolls may be heated because of process requirements and considerations. With the continuous passage of yarn over such rolls, a deposit builds up on the roll surface, particularly where the roll is heated. Periodic cleaning of the rolls is therefore required to prevent excessive buildup of irregular surface deposits which interfere with the smooth running of the yarn and lead to broken filaments. In the past, tedious hand cleaning of these rolls has been required.

According to the present invention, a cantilever mounted roll is cleaned with an apparatus which includes a portable sleeve adapted to be positioned over the roll. At least three elongated brushes are mounted axially of, on the interior of and for radial movement relative to the sleeve. Radial movement is against the bias of springs in the brush mounts. The sleeve has inwardly directed flanges adjacent its ends and is provided with opposed longitudinal rows of perforations for the admission and discharge of a fluid. Preferably, the cleaning apparatus is mounted on a mobile support equipped with supply tanks for a liquid cleaning agent and a rinse liquid and pumps for supplying these liquids as needed. Also, a catch tank for the dirty rinse liquid is provided.

Various objectives and advantages of the apparatus will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment. In the specification, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the mobile support or buggy and associated components of the cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus positioned on a roll, parts having been broken away and shown in section to reveal details of construction; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

With reference to FIG. 1, components of the cleaning apparatus are carried by a buggy which has a frame 10 and is provided with casters 12 for easy movement between positions. Frame 10 accommodates a tank 14 for clean water, a drain tank 16, and a third tank 18 for a liquid cleaning agent. The liquid cleanser is delivered by a pump 20 through conduit 22 to a spray nozzle 24. Rinse water from tank 14 is delivered by a pump 26 through conduit 28 to the interior of a sleeve 30. Drain water from sleeve 30 reaches tank 16 through another conduit 32. The buggy also carries a motor 34 provided with a chuck for flexible drive shaft 36 which has a threaded coupling 38 at its terminal end. As explained more fully hereinafter, coupling 38 is adapted for driving connection to a temporarily inactivated roll 40. When not in use, sleeve 30 is transported on a yoke 42 affixed to buggy frame 10.

constructional details of sleeve 30 have been shown in FIGS. 2, 3. At its bottom and in communication with an axially disposed row of perforations 44, there is a tube 46 which receives the drain conduit 32 (FIG. 1). Atop sleeve 30, there is another row of perforations 48 through which rinse water passes from a channel member 50, a tube 52 and conduit 28 (FIG. 1). Flanges 54, 56 are provided at the sleeve ends to facilitate collection of rinse water by drain tube 46. On the opposite side from tube 52, sleeve 30 carries an angular bracket 58 which is so located as to abut a part of the machinery in which roll 40 is located and thereby prevents rotation of the sleeve with the roll during a cleaning operation.

On the interior of sleeve 30, there are four longitudinally disposed brushes 60, each mounted by an elongated bracket 62. Each bracket has a pair of spaced screws 64 which project through openings in sleeve 30 and caps 66 on nipples 68. Between a stop nut on each screw 64 and its cap 66, there is a spring which biases the associated brush 60 toward a roll 40. The springbiased brushes are equi-spaced radially of the sleeve and, therefore, tend to keep it centered on roll 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, cantilevered roll 40 has a convergent socket 41 at its open end for the coupling 38 on flexible drive shaft 36. When the threaded end of coupling 38 has been screwed into the socket, motor 34 is used to drive the roll at a relatively slow speed.

In operation, the buggy is rolled into position adjacent an inactivated roll 40 and the drive motors for pumps 20, 26 are connected to a suitable electric outlet. A liquid cleanser, e.g., an aqueous detergent solution containing a little alkali, is pumped from tank 18 and sprayed on the roll from nozzle 24. Portable sleeve 30 is then removed from yoke 42 and positioned on roll 40 (FIG. 2). Coupling 38 is connected and drives the roll until it is clean, e.g., for about three minutes. Rinse water from tank 14 is then distributed over the roll surface to remove the cleanser and dissolved deposits. Dirty rinse water discharges through perforations 44, drain tube 46 and conduit 32 to tank 16.

The above-described apparatus provides a self-contained portable assembly with which to clean processing rolls used in the production of fibers in a very eflicient manner and with a minimum interruption of the process. Obviously, modifications in the apparatus may be required depending on the type of equipment to which it is applied. Coupling 38 will, of course, have to be modified to suit the particular type of roll to be cleaned. If the roll speed used to process yarn is sufficiently low, it may be possible to eliminate motor 34 and simply use the normal roll drive. However, roll speeds are generally too high for this to be a safe and satisfactory procedure. Where a heated roll is to be cleaned, its surface can be cooled with water from tank 14, either through a second hose connected to pump 26 or by a preliminary application of rinse water through sleeve 30. In the latter event, the sleeve is removed for application of the cleanser and replaced for the cleaning operation. Other modifications and adaptations of a similar nature will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention which accordingly is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a cantilever mounted roll, a cleaning apparatus comprising: a sleeve adapted to be positioned over said roll; at least three elongated brushes: means mounting the brushes axially of, on the interior of and for radial movement relative to the sleeve, said mounting means including springs biasing the brushes inwardly; and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectively located adjacent the ends of said sleeve, the latter having opposed axially oriented rows of perforations for the admission and discharge of a fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mobile support with a tank, a pump and conduit means for delivering fluid from the tank through one row of perforations, said sleeve having a resting place on said support but being portable to said roll.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a second tank on said mobile support and conduit means through which fluid drains from said other row to the second tank.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a motor on said support and a flexible drive connection leading from the motor to a coupling adapted for driving contact with said roll.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,056,403 3/1913 Crane 15-88 1,676,825 7/1928 Haase 15-88 X 2,907,059 10/ 1959 Cornett.

3,116,811 1/1964 Stevenson 15-88 X EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner. 

